BILL ANALYSIS

S.B. 460

By: Lucio

Defense & Veterans' Affairs

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

In approximately two-thirds of veteran suicides, the veteran is not in contact with the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs or receiving support services. To decrease veteran suicide, there needs to be increased veteran connectedness. S.B. 460 seeks to help promote such connectedness, which will improve mental health and normalize the discussion of receiving available services, by creating a monthly Buddy Check Day when veterans are encouraged to reach out to fellow veterans and authorizing the Texas Veterans Commission to use this day to promote available assistance programs, relevant services, and education and awareness of relevant issues.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.

ANALYSIS

S.B. 460 amends the Government Code to designate the 11th day of each month as Buddy Check Day to encourage veterans to contact other veterans who may need assistance. Buddy Check Day may be regularly observed by appropriate programs and activities coordinated by the Texas Veterans Commission to promote assistance and other services available to veterans and to promote education and awareness of veterans' issues.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2021.